I can’t believe how fast you are, Havoc. Wind whipped through Pax’s hair the next morning as he galloped atop his new companion across the ragged plateau.

  Of course I am. She sent him a flash of pride, touched with arrogance. I can run even faster than this. Should I use my Gale Rush?

  No. Pax hurried to stop her. Around him, their platoon raced to either side in a very ragged formation, many whooping with excitement at the experience despite their obvious inexperience. We’re all still figuring out how to ride and stay somewhat together. No need to go any faster than this yet. Save your mana.

  If you insist. Havoc continued her ground-eating pace, her muscles bunching up with powerful contractions under the leather saddle Tyrodon and the rebel crafters had helped build following the general principles used for yugrut harnesses.

  Fun! This is so fun! Let her go faster. Whisk’s voice was full of glee. He’d pushed two bulging sheets of his slime out to flap above both of Pax’s shoulders where they made sputtering noises in the wind.

  Pax grinned, having a hard time imagining going even faster with her active ability. Hush, Whisk. Besides, if she goes any faster, I might just fly off.

  I wouldn’t let you fall. Havoc sounded insulted.

  And I could keep you tied on, Whisk was quick to add before he paused thoughtfully. Or make a big ball around you so you’d bounce nice and soft when you hit the ground.

  Now Pax was the one making sputtering sounds as he laughed at the image of skipping across the ground padded by Whisk’s slime around him. How about we just work on riding like this and staying in formation with our friends first? Havoc is an amazing mount with just her regular speed for now.

  That is sensible. Havoc agreed, sounding mollified by his praise.

  But she can’t travel underground, even if she is fast above. Talpa’s tone sounded disgruntled. They’d left him behind with the few who didn’t have mounts while everyone got used to riding their new companions before adding passengers. Pax could just see the annoyed look Talpa aimed at their disappearing backs.

  Very true, buddy. We all have unique talents. And don’t worry. We’ll pull back around and come back to where you’re waiting with the others. Langley is chatting with Bryn to teach us how to coordinate better. We need to sort out and practice traveling and battle formations. Once we have the basics down, we’ll work on how to bring along the platoon members without mounts and any companions who don’t run so much. I’m thinking we can rig up a good saddle or carrier for you to ride with me.

  Ride? Talpa sent an initial flash of insult that was quickly replaced by curiosity. Whisk says it’s very fun. That might be acceptable. Havoc is very strong.

  Oldest brother is welcome to ride. I have plenty of strength for him, too.

  Thank you, Havoc. Pax was pleased with how she was fitting in with his other friends.

  Talpa subsided at the promise of a solution, and Pax focused back on the not-so-easy-task of staying in the saddle.

  The rest of the morning was an exercise in frustration and excitement. Apparently, riding on a mount at any speed required a lot more coordination than attempting any of the same maneuvers on foot.

  After a couple of hours of practice, they could all stay mounted with reasonable consistency. Next, they worked out a decent traveling formation for the entire platoon. Langley and Titus assigned positions to everyone. Scouts would protect the platoon’s perimeter and fighters shielded the more vulnerable members and supplies in the center. Only when everyone had gained the first level Riding skill did they dismiss them to work on individual crew battle formations.

  By the end, Langley, Titus and Tomis had yelled themselves hoarse with their crews while Bryn used her Echo with happy smugness for Pax’s crew. Eldan and Incedis had coached them to practice only two fighting formations to start, one mounted that allowed for hit-and-run tactics and one where they dismounted and incorporated their mounts into the battle for both offense and defense. After being close to Havoc’s seriously dangerous explosion of teeth during practice, Pax was just glad the chargers were on their side.

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  Thankfully, there were a handful of other rebel squads with companions happy to join in their training. Their final exercise incorporated them acting as live opponents to practice against. A swell of pride grew within Pax over the course of the day, as he saw the incredible power the companions added to everyone’s fighting abilities. He and his friends had truly transformed the rebellion’s power.

  Even better, the attitude of the leaders and fellow rebels had shifted considerably during the last couple of weeks. As their Taming and magical innovations spread, more rebels publicly recognized the value of their innovations and ideas. The rebels were finally seeing the truth of the detriments inherent in the magical control corrupt leaders had forced on them for generations

  More and more, Pax saw his fellow rebels breaking the shackles against innovation and sharing what they learned with each other. The rebellion’s focus on tactics, both military and magical, to use fighting against people instead of beasts was the biggest force multiplier they had.

  Pax could almost see the future. If rebel mages could develop their mana skills to his levels, they’d be able to disrupt enemy spells before they could even cast. He knew it was unrealistic to think many could attain a merging of skills like he had. Even so, the explosion of innovation happening had to bear fruit. The question was if they could do it in time.

  ***

  “I don’t know if I’ll be able to walk tomorrow.” Titus groaned as he pulled up a chair and joined Pax and his crew at their dining table in the platoon’s tent. “I’m second-guessing my decision to ride double on the cobbled together saddle with Langley.”

  Groans of commiseration came from the rest of his crew, who were joining them.

  “What happened to getting a few stabs from Crissim’s Virrell to fix you up?” Amil asked, a note of mocking laughter in his voice. “I noticed Crissim skipped out of maneuvers after we finished the traveling formation part with him riding double with Dahni.”

  Titus shrugged. “He’s been working with the healers to level Virrell up even faster now that he’s got access to a lot more injured people here than just our platoon. We’ve got more people with healing skills than most.”

  Pax just laughed. “I can’t help it if most of our friends would rather be Healed by my skill or Dahni’s than getting stabbed by Virrell’s quills.”

  Titus scowled, looking defensive. “Well, it seems the rebels here are not as picky. With potions in short supply for the war, they’re more than happy to get a few pricks if it means fixing them up.”

  “Well, I’m sure she’d be happy to give you all a few stabs for your saddle soreness when Crissim gets here.” Pax turned back to his meal, shoveling in another bite of the warm and hearty stew that tasted amazing after an exhausting day of riding.

  Titus nodded before leaning in close and whispering in a sheepish tone, “Can you help your brother out? Saddle soreness isn’t that big of an issue, too small to spend a potion on, much less a Healing beast’s efforts, right?”

  Others of his crew somehow heard the request and aimed pleading looks at Pax as they found their own seats, setting down bowls and plates piled high with food.

  Pax grinned, but took pity on them. “Let me finish this, and then I’ll take care of you all. Besides, it would be helpful to get a quick peek at your insides in case I ever need to Heal one of you in an emergency.”

  The older fighters gave him grateful looks, while Titus suddenly looked more serious. “Let’s hope that never happens, kid. Our job is to keep the young ones like all of you safe, right?”

  Pax didn’t reply, just giving his brother a skeptical look.

  “Hey, I know you’re the big bad mage now, but let me just pretend I’ll be able to protect you from everything that can hurt you in this war, alright? Maybe I won’t be able to, but you can bet Vitur that I’ll do my best.”

  Pax stopped and met his brother’s gaze, suddenly seeing the same fierce protectiveness in his eyes that Pax felt for him, as well as his own crew and companions. He reached out and squeezed Titus’ arm. “How about we both do that for each other and everyone who belongs to us?”

  Titus gave him a solemn nod. No more words were needed.

  By the time the meal wound down and the sky had darkened outside, Pax took some time to make the rounds with his Heal Others skill. Around him, a tired but happy mood prevailed after the successful day working with their new companions.

  Pax sent healing energy into a lot of muscles and joints abused by too many hours in saddles. Pax took a few extra minutes with Titus, sending both his mana and healing skills from head to toe, noting the details of his brother’s uninjured body as a reference for future emergencies.

  The more he worked with warriors, the more familiar he grew with the way their colorless energy collected in critical junctions before circulating through muscles, bones and limbs. Despite how simple the healing job was, Pax thoroughly enjoyed the chance to learn even more about the intricate movement of mana among the various classes.

  “If I could have your attention?”

  Pax was just sitting back down when he heard Incedis’ voice from the entrance to their tent. Conversations continued around him as not everyone heard the mage.

  A screeching blast of wind down from the tent’s ceiling. Everyone’s gazes moved up in an instant, more than a few hands moving to summon weapons. They stopped when they saw the familiar but ominous figure of Whisper dangling above them, making happy chittering sounds that were her version of laughter.

  “Now they’re listening.” Mage Eldan stepped back and motioned for Incedis to go ahead.

  Shaking his head, Incedis moved to the head of the first table. The smile Pax expected to see at Eldan’s antics with Whisper wasn’t there. His stomach immediately clenched. That couldn’t be good.

  “I’ve just come from a meeting with the camp council. There’s news.”

  When he didn’t immediately explain, one of Tomis’ young crew called out. “If it’s that bad, just tell us already.”

  That got a few chuckles, but most of their platoon stayed silent, attention focused on Incedis and what he would say next.